February Entertainment News

It's time to play the Brothers & Sisters: One, Two & Three Degrees of Separation game. John Glover, best known as Lionel Luther on the series Smallville, joins the show as Andrew, a love interest for Uncle Saul. Funny thing is, Glover played dual Gay characters in the 1997 film Love! Valour! Compassion! which was directed by Joe Montello, who had a twelve year relationship with Brothers & Sisters creator Jon Robin Baitz. Are you writing this down? There could be a test later. Though Glover is only committed to 3 episodes, I'm hoping that this turns into the television rarity, a stable and long lasting Gay relationship. And since this isn't Grey's Anatomy, there's a good chance. Especially in light of the fact That Brothers & Sisters was developed by a Gay man, is produced by Greg Berlanti one of the best known Gay producers in television and Gay actor/writer David Marshall Grant is one of the show's writers.
In other Brothers & Sisters news, Luke Grimes will play newly discovered half sibling, Ryan when the hit ABC series returns in February. Though relatively unknown this will certainly be the career boost the 25 year-old needs. Especially since Grimes only other credit for the New Year will be an independent film titled 'Shit Year!' But there could be yet, another new brother in the future. Balthazar Getty's publicists have been working overtime trying to dispel rumors that he is leaving the show due to cast friction he caused last summer, when he left his wife and mother of their four children to play 'Hide the salami' with actress Sienna Miller. Yet this is a perfect example of a tunnel vision publicist. Insist your client doesn't want to leave Brothers & Sisters, but the elephant in the room is whether or not the series producers will fire his salami, I mean - ass. Here's another connection for you. Getty also appeared in the series Alias with Ron Rifkin who plays Uncle Saul on Brothers & Sisters. And lest we forget that Patricia Wettig, who plays the conniving Holly is married to producer Ken Olin, who costarred with here in the old ABC TV series thirtysomething. Ok, have you finished your flow chart. ****
Though he's only been a voice on the Logo channel series Rick & Steve, the Happiest Gay Couple in all the World, it's great to see the gorgeous face of Wilson Cruz appear on camera. As is the case of this month's release 'He's Not That Into You,' a relationship comedy starring Jennifer Anniston, Drew Barrymore, and Ben Affleck opening Feb. 6th. Wilson recently complete a role in The Ode. The independent film is based on the novel by Ghalib Shiraz Dhalla about a gay Indian who flees his conservative mother in India only to fall into the dangerous self indulgent world of Hollywood nightlife. Wilson has also complete a film called 'The People I've Slept With,' (sorry, it's not autobiographical) and will next appear in Convincing Clooney with Roseanna Arquette and French Stewart (3rd Rock from the Sun.) ***
Watch out Tyra Banks, here comes competition for America's Next Top Model and it's coming from non other than - RuPaul. Leave it to the powers that be to come up with 'RuPaul's Drag Race, the first reality show drag queen competition. RuPaul will have dual roles appearing in his better known glamazon persona to judge the contestants and in male form as Mr. RuPaul giving advice while channeling Tim Gunn. Premiering February 2 on Logo, the winner will receive a $5000 gift certificate to Sephora and a trophy shaped like J. Edgar Hoover. Well, not really, but Logo isn't exactly known for having high production budgets. ***
Russell Tovey is an out British actor is also out of the running as the new Doctor Who, but British audiences will see him in this month's telly-film Being Human. Sounding like a lost episode from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the story has Tovey playing a werewolf who moves into a flat with a vampire roommate only to discovery the place is haunted by the last tenant. Can you get your deposit back for that sort of thing? The screenplay was written by Toby Whithouse who, ironically, has written for both Doctor Who and Torchwood. *** Tired of waiting for the new season of Project Runway you can get a dose of season one winner, Jay McCarroll with the February 20th premiere of "Eleven Minutes" a documentary about the fashion designer. The project will air on the here! TV subscription channel on the same day it opens a limited release at independent film houses. ***
The Universe of Keith Haring, an independent film on the late artist will air on Logo Feb. 28th as part of the new documentary series Real Momentum. The series debuted last month with Equality U, about a group of Gay supportive college students who organized protests at religous colleges across the country. If you don't have Logo on your cable system, episodes of Real Momentum will also be streamed in Afterelton.com. ***
As Valentine's Day looms around the corner, it's perfect timing for the return of Bravo's The Millionaire Matchmaker on Feb. 12th. Those who enjoy watching matchmaker Patti Stanger go through the motions and struggles to find the perfect match to the single and wealthy should enjoy the new season as one of Patty's clients is a Gay millionaire. What minute, a SINGLE Gay millionaire? How can he be a millionaire and not be able to "afford" a decent boyfriend? Has he never heard of Craigslist? ***
The Amazing Race returns to CBS on February 15th and brings with it, one contestant pair which features 68 year old Gay father, Mel White who came out to his family when his son Mike was only 11. His game partner is Mike who is best know as the screenwriter of the Jack Black films Nacho Libre and School of Rock. Wow, those movies had scripts???
*** Having successfully reshaped the fashion houses of Gucci and Yves St. Laurent, Tom Ford is heading into a new career, making his directorial debut with the motion picture A Single Man. Ford is working from his own screenplay, based on the Christopher Isherwood novel about an English professor coping with the sudden death of his partner. Colin Firth (Mama Mia) plays George and Matthew Goode (Brideshead Revisited) his late partner in flashbacks. Also in the cast are Ginnifer Goodwin (Big Love), Julianne Moore (Boogie Nights) and Nicholas Hoult who plays a sexually confused student. I guess that is a change from his role as a sexually promiscuous teen in the BBC series Skins. ***
Firth also stars in Easy Virtue which hits American shores in May. The film is based on the Noel Coward play but features a twisted adaptation by Stephan Elliott (The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.) Elliot describes the work as 20% Coward and the rest is
new with much more comedy. The story follows John Whitaker (Ben Barnes) who brings home his new American bride (Jessica Biel) only to see her turn his family's British stuffiness inside out. Firth joins Kristin Scott Thomas (Four Weddings and a Funeral) as the snobby parents. Elliott is already onto his next production, Black Oasis. It stars Rodrigo Santoro (Lost) and Rose McGowan (Charmed) in the story of B-movie actress Susan Cabot, best known for roles in such classics as The Wasp Women, War of the Satellites and my personal favorite The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent. The piece that makes her story film worthy is the fact that she was murdered by her dwarf son in 1986. Can you believe that neither John Waters nor David Lynch jumped on this project first.

For My Beloved Edward

Today, January 25th, my beloved Edward would have been 46 years old. Last year I sent out an e-mail telling friends things that could do, eat, watch and such to help remember him. But as April showers will bring the second anniversary of his death, the large number of "his" friends who are still in touch with me have virtually washed away. So this year, alone, I tried to have lunch at his favorite place to go for birthday dinner. Somehow, the concept of lunch alone seemed less pathetic than dinner by myself. I discovered that the Sacramento Downtown Plaza branch of Morton's of Chicago had closed and moved over to the capital mall. A real disappointment and one more piece of the past that I can not recreate. Our favorite booth - number 18 -gone, Fillet Oscar will never taste the same and the illumination on his face from Morton's traditional table lamp has gone out.
Directionless, with plans gone asunder, I wandered around the Downtown Plaza mall and was shocked to see the number of businesses that have closed. Change, will it ever end? I stopped in Papyrus, Edward's favorite card store and discovered their going out of business sale. He would have been thrilled that all the cards left in the store were only one dollar each as Papyrus usually has some of the most expensive cards around. I once picked up a $10 card for him which was covered in sequins, beads and fabric to recreate and undersea coral reef. Edward adored jewelry and decor made of coral. And now, the $9, $7.50, $6.95 cards were majorly marked down causing me to wonder, what is the upscale equivalent to a K-mart blue light special? For some it's the annual Bridal sale at Filene's in Boston but for me it was here, it was now, it was the right opportunity to celebrate and remember Edward.
For those who didn't know me as an us, Edward's physical limitations during his final years caused him to embrace to lost art of sending personal greetings through the U.S. Postal Service. His fear of armed postal carriers, through rain, sleet or hail of gunfire could not dissuade him. The idea of bringing joy to others energized him. To support this passion, I would pick up unique and interesting cards for him whenever I had access to special stationary stores. He loved having a large selection to chose from even to the point of coordinating the style and color of the stamp with the mailing label. When he died there must have been over a hundred and fifty greeting cards in his pendaflex file. Over these last 20 months I have diligently followed his example trying to keep his tradition alive by sending cards for anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, new home cards and much more. Yet the supply is dwindling and needed to be replenished. A sale of quality cards in styles Edward would have loved was indeed fortuitous or you might say - even a Hallmark moment. But alas, not a one was from Hallmark.
So now I'm set for Valentine's day, Easter, St. Patrick's day and who knew they made Arbor Day cards. Of course being made of paper, it seems a bit sacrilegious. I think I'm set for everything up to that Fall Jewish holiday celebrating pain killers called Rosh Limbaugh. Guess that means I better hit the post office this week to pick up reserve stamps. Actually, it's something to look forward to as It's been weeks since I've stood in line and bit my tongue while listening to an 89 year old woman ask the postal clerk, How long are forever stamps good for? Though he would have blushed a bit, Edward would have understood if I was the first to yell out "They'll last longer than YOU will!"
Though I struggle to keep Edward's traditions alive, it is by no means, a struggle to maintain his memory. I celebrate the man he was and embrace the passions of his spirit. As I have grown with my loss, many people have said that time heals all wounds, that the pain of losing a loved one lessens with time. Having walked these soles of solitude I can not confirm that time is a wonder cure. You simply, ...

run out of tears.

Bits and Pieces

4 degrees of separation from Clint Eastwood doesn't exactly make my day. Though it was interesting to learn that my former high Math teacher and coach is the father of Clint Eastwood's wife Dina, whom also attended Mission San Jose High school in Fremont, CA. I guess that's why graduation tradition is for when the principle hands a diploma to a past problem student he says "Do you feel lucky punk?" **** Some of the finest lines can come from TV shows which aren't really known for being a comedy. I was reminded of this fact while watching a recent rerun episode of the ABC Family channel's series Kyle XY. It featured, a tomboy teenager (with two moms by the way) who was having trouble with the concept of glamour. Preparing for her first prom she seeks a friend's advice, walks in wearing a ridiculous amount of makeup and says "I want to look Va-Va Voomy for Josh but I keep coming up with vampire clown whore!" I want whoever wrote that line to be my BFF. ***
An upcoming event at the San Francisco Zoo will teach visitors about the mating behavior of animals, yes, the birds and the bees is being called 'Woo At The Zoo.' I can't wait for the following month when they present how animals go to the bathroom called 'Poo at the Zoo.' *** Surprising news that the George W. Bush Library will be finished sooner than expected. The renovated phone booth will be complete on Friday when both books arrive. *** Call it fate, call it irony that the week ABC's hit series Lost returns for a new season, a new presidential administration takes over to lead our country away from having been Lost for the last 8 years. *** Controversial singer Amy Winehouse has spent £1 million to start her own record label and has signed her 13 year old goddaughter as the first signing. The fact that they are not blood relatives is obvious since the girl looks nothing like an anorexic crack whore. Winehouse has been dating Rugby player Josh Bowman while her estranged husband Blake Fielder-Civil serves a prison sentence. But oddly, she was shocked to learn that Blake plans to divorce her upon his release. Winehouse stated "I still love Blake. I won't let him divorce me. Blake is the male version of me, we're a perfect match." Sorry, Amy, everbody knows that the male version of you is Keith Richards.

Celebrate the Romance of Others

For some, being single makes it awkward to be around couples. The less secure can be jealous of the bond they see between two people or they become depressed when reminded of the romance they had prior to becoming the latest commodity on the dating market. Spending the day with my nephew Steven and his new boyfriend Tom, yesterday, surprised me with feelings of a different kind. As we did some shopping, I delighted in hearing them call each other "hon" and us other terms of endearment. I smiled listening to them recall how many whitening stripes were left at home, how many cans of Monster or which brand of cat litter would be best for the recently combined household that features two cats previously unknown to each other. Though the living together status has only been a matter of weeks, it was a joy to see Steven and Tom acting as if they had been together for years. That combined with their effortless pursuit of cooperation and compromise, keeping the others interest forefront and the sparkle I saw in the eyes when they just looked at each other proved to me that this is a relationship off to a inordinately strong start.Though I was confident that I would not be one of those previously mentioned awkward or envious single types as I met Tom for the first time but I found surprise at the sense of thrill and joy I felt just being in the presence of this new romance. I remember when Steven told me that Tom was moving out to San Francisco from Atlanta, though they had only known each other a very short time. I had my concerns but mostly from experience with other friends that had rushed into what ended up as failed relationships. Weeks ago, when Steven confessed to having uttered those three powerful words - "I Love You," my youthful fear of chasing away a new love interest by saying the words first rushed forth. But I remembered that Edward, my late husband of 22 years had uttered those words exactly 14 days after our first date. And other than three different nights when he was out of town on business, Edward had spent every night at my place during our first four months together. Such memories underscore the question, who is anyone to question the time it takes for a relationship to become one of fate driven, destined to be reality.As I approach my 2ND year of widower-hood I continue to struggle with the re-definition of my life. A new city, new friends and coming to terms with just the concept of finding love again, my sense of romance is rejuvenated as I observe this attractive and well-suited duo beginning a united life.

Always Look on the Warped Side of Life

Channel surfing, I came acoss a listing for a BBC America program called 'My Big Breasts and I." I watched for 10 minutes until I realized that it was not the program I thought it was. Turns out I had it confused with a documentary on the Bush White House called "Too Many Boobs." *** Entertainment Weekly has reported that disgraced Illinois Governor Blagojevich may have a new job. An offer has come from CBS, for the typical politician to become the new host of - 'The Price is Right.' Although I prefer another game show I have to say, "I'd like to solve the puzzle and is the word - Corruption?"
President Obama has announced his selection for the director of HUD. Outgoing President George W. Bush has left the position vacant for the last two terms because he thought HUD was his favorite Paul Newman movie. *** Robert Wagner has been in the news a lot lately, due to publication of his autobiography. The book details his long term relationship with the much older and late Barbara Stanwyck. I don't mind tell-all books but, In his new commercial for Fidelity Life Insurance, I think's it's rather tacky when he says, "Hi, I'm Robert Wagner. You probably know me from my many visits to the Big Valley." ***
Embarrassing news for Homeland Security Adviser Michael Chertoff who, it has been discovered, was using a house cleaning service that hired, belive it or not, illegal immigrants. A bit of a shock considering that the Secret Service screened each of the employees who entered Mr. Chertoff's home for four years. The good news comes from the CIA who claims that Mr. Chertoff's Taliban Chef has checked out ok and they've removed all sharp tools from his Pakistani gardener. Our homeland is secure one again.

The Seeds of Harvey Milk

Though he'll have to wait until January 22nd to find out if he's in the running for another Oscar nomination, Sean Penn will receive the Desert Palm Achievement in Acting Award in Palm Springs on Jan. 6th. Though many opinions have been voiced as to who is most deserving, I can't help ad my own, that Penn's performance as Harvey Milk in 'Milk,' is hands down the most captivating performance of 2008. Thanks to arrangements made by my dear nephew, I was able to see Milk on December 23rd it's last day at the historical Castro Theatre. Guess you can say that Milk's expiration date was December 23rd. I guess if you saw it after that date you'd simply get - cottage cheese.

There's nothing like seeing a movie in the actual historical neighborhood in which many of the events portrayed in the film take place and where much of the film was actually shot. I was taken aback by the film Milk, not only due to the quality of the movie and actors performances but because of the accuracy of what it presents. 1978 was a watershed time for many people, especially for me. That year I became "legal" as it brought my 21st birthday and the realization that I was only 9 years away from the Gay equivalent of "retirement age," 30. I was working in a department store an hour away from San Francisco when I learned of the murders. I was talking to a coworker in the electronics department, standing between the HUGE 24inch picture tube screens, when suddenly, all the televisions lit up with the face of Dianne Feinstein. Mark this occasion as the only time you will ever see the words "Dianne Feinstein" and "lit up" used in the same sentence. But there she was, interrupting regular programing, disheveled and in tears, announcing that San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk had been shot and killed. I was devastated. I didn't live in San Francisco but as a young gay man, was extremely proud of the fact that Harvey was an out Gay politician who brought pride and hope to so many. I couldn't think, I couldn't compose myself and I told my manager that I felt sick and had to go home. Since being kicked out of my home a few years earlier when the parents found out that I was Gay (I should have ordered the Advocate in the brown paper covering), I had been out to everyone I knew, and so, my manager understood my sudden departure. The following week, I called in sick again in order to drive to San Francisco and join the thousands of people who lined up along Polk street to view the closed caskets of the slain leaders. I remember the shock and anger I felt when a passerby stopped and asked me, "What are all you people lined up for, are they giving out cheese?" Sure, I was offended considering I was dressed much better than those who would line up for government cheese but mostly I couldn't believe this man's ignorance. Stunned, I looked at the man and through tearful eyes said "we're here to pay our last respect and reclaim our hope."
This was the catalyst which brought the first most joyous time of my life, when I spent the 1980s living in the shadow of Twin Peaks, in the city of Saint Francis. Again, I didn't know Harvey but through that decade I felt him looking over my shoulder as simply by circumstance, I befriended many people who new him. As such I worried as to whether or not I could view Milk the movie without jaded eyes and simply appreciate performances for what the were versus what they were not. Watching other people portraying friends and aquaintances on the large screen is a strange experience. Most of us come as close as childhood home movies or watching holiday video of a drunken Uncle Bud running around asking you to pull his finger. But here were 12 feet tall actors in makeup trying to resemble people you knew, dinned with, worked with, or simply said hello to when walking down Market street. I was amazed at James Franco's grasp of Scott Smith's sensitivity, amused by the way Emile Hirsch captured Cleve Jones' youthful defiance, impressed at the actresses resemblance to Anne Kronenberg and delighted to see my old friend, former SF Supervisor Tom Ammiano screaming out at homophobic Senator John Briggs. The plot element of the feared passage of the 'Briggs initiative' which would have prevented Gay people from holding teaching jobs is a startling reality check to the recent step backward of Proposition 8's passage.
Though a minor role, the character of Dennis Peron reminded me of the adventures from the Peron Palace next door to me on 17th street. Dennis was known to all as a marijuana rights advocate and if not from media exposure from the many times you could find him and his horde of roommates and house guests who would take over a row of seats at the Castro theatre and smoke pot during the pre-screening organ concert. The type of movie made no difference. A showing of Auntie Mame, The Women, or Bringing Up Baby to an obscure French film or a Midnight premiere of the The Road Warrior with newcomer Mel Gibson, there was Dennis and his crowd with a cannibas cloud hovering over them. The faces of residents at Dennis' home ebbed and flowed like the fog cascading into the Eureka Valley. Though I had never had a problem with Dennis himself, his resolution to my complaints of his guests/or customers (which I called "The Peronistas) parking in my driveway was to leave a note and joint under my windshield wiper. As one who didn't smoke nor cared for smoke of any kind, I simply gave them to my unemployed roommate. Can you say "enabling?"
Surprising warm memories rushed back during a scene in which the late great Sylvester was shown performing at a party for Harvey. I remember Sylvester as a very sweet and sincere guy who I'd encounter at various social occassion or attended parties at my flat on 17th street. On one particular occasion he brought an adorable blond guy with a sexy facial scar named Lew Doty. OK, so shoot me for having a crush but a GREAT memory. At that time I was living in a 5 bedroom flat only three blocks from the Castro and had become known producing events such as the Jock Strap Contest at the world famouns Endup or for my rather large private parties. As a result, my place became the home of the Harvey Milk Democratic Club's annual Christmas party for 3 years until they just out grew my place. Again, just another series of separations from Harvey but I will always feel indebted to him for my life in San Francisco.
Milk is a powerful film even for those who didn't live in San Francisco through this time or know little about the Gay struggle of that era. It is more than just a 'Gay Story' it's a story about humanity. About everyone's basic need to be supported, secure and loved. It reminds us and confirms to the ignorant the Gay is more than a sexuality. That the word "lifestyle" is so limiting in it's image. That Gay, are a PEOPLE. A people with non-threatening differences, who shoulder the burden of suffering the last acceptable prejudice. See Milk. Tell your friends to see Milk. Take your family to see Milk.